Tips To Be Productive at Work

Introduction 

Do you feel like you pass the day without being productive at your work? Are you not able to complete your tasks on time? If so, you're not the only one. Being productive is a problem that many individuals face. 

Productivity is the measure of how good your work performance is in terms of quality and efficiency. It shows the value you are providing to your business organization. In simple financial terms, it is a ratio of output vs. input. A higher ratio supports growth at work. This growth is both in terms of income and experience. If you're less productive, you might feel like you're falling behind. This can make you feel low at times.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major transition in the world. There was a landmark shift to a work-from-home (WFH) model. This shift created hype around being more productive. As per popular opinion, the remote working model is more valuable. Hence, many companies are turning to hybrid or permanent WFH systems. 

Why do you need to be productive at work?

When you improve input, you also improve the output. How productive you are is a measure of your career goals. If you're more productive, you can set higher goals and targets. 

Here are the major reasons why productivity is essential:

- Productivity leads to an increase in wages and bonuses.

- It is a significant factor for career growth and success.

- It increases confidence and motivation to work. 

- It is also a major factor leading to work-life balance.

- You gain the trust and respect of your colleagues and seniors.

Proven tips for staying productive at work

We need to admit that every day is not productive. Some days you feel low; on other days, you may be full of energy. These are normal human variations. Research suggests that we spend only 20% of the average workday doing real work. Minor things take up the remaining work day. 

Hence, we need to declutter our workday and maximise our output. Some tips can help you do that. Industry research backs these tips. Follow these tips to be more productive at work.

1. Organise and plan your day:

This is the most important way of being more productive. If you plan, half of the job is already done. You can use online tools to plan your day. Set small goals and create a hierarchy of how you will achieve them. Set reminders if you forget things and events. Plan both your work and rest hours.

2. Set realistic goals and prioritise well: 

Your goals need to be short-term. Know your limits and take up the amount of work you can finish in a day. Achieving your set targets every day boosts self-confidence. Also, set the time you need to finish a specific task and make sure you finish the task on time. This is an effective practice to prioritise tasks. Work smart, not hard.

3. Increase distraction-free periods:

Most of the day, we remain distracted. Emails or phone calls keep us from doing real work. Social media is another major distraction at other times. Try to keep your phone switched off during your working hours. Avoiding distractions will give you some extra time to complete your assignments. Additionally, your concentration powers will scale up. So, avoid distractions during work as much as possible. 

4. Delegate along with doing your work:

Every worker needs to master the art of saying no. This way, you can focus on doing your work. It would help if you also learned to delegate work. This is even more important if you are a team leader. Consider dividing tasks between your team members to ease your burden. This will help you to focus on one task at a time, especially those that need your immediate attention.

5. Take breaks:

Taking breaks is very important to be more productive. Take short and frequent breaks. Taking breaks freshens up your mind and increases your overall energy levels. You can use the Pomodoro Technique. As per it, you work for 25-minute sprints followed by a five-minute break. This is a popular technique for time management. 

6. Set up a work office if doing WFH:

Suppose you are doing WFH. Set up a small workspace at home. Working on a bed or sofa leads to posture problems. Get a good study table-like structure and make sure to stack it up with notebooks, notepads, pens, books related to your work field, etc. A good workstation keeps you focused and allows you to cut out distractions. You get that feeling of being in the professional zone.

7. Eat and sleep well:

Proper nutrition, rest, and exercise are at the core of work-life balance. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and meditation can increase your concentration levels and may help you reach your full potential. However, you need to make this practice a part of your everyday life. These healthy habits help avoid work-related stress and provide the required energy levels to remain active and productive in your work.

8. Track your output:

Compare your output if you are doing the same work frequently. You can use tools like graphs or charts to analyse your performance. Once you have a fair idea about the results you're producing, you can analyze your strengths and weakness and work on them to increase your productivity levels.

9. Find out habits that are holding you back:

To improve, you must first acknowledge that you have bad habits. Be aware of them and use positive enforcement to break their cycle. You can also join a support group or consult a professional counselor if your habits are overwhelming. Habits like not sleeping enough, multitasking, smoking, excessive drinking, etc., can reduce your productivity.

10. Start your day effectively:

A great start to the day will boost your performance. A good start to your day sets the tone for the rest of the day. You can set a motivational quote alarm as the first thing you read in the morning. This will keep you in a positive state of mind throughout the day. Drink lots of water, go for a walk, do yoga/meditation and have a hearty breakfast before you set out to work. 

Reading and journaling in the morning are also great habits. 

Conclusion

People are always looking for ways to maximise their output. Being more productive is a planned practice. You can increase it by making a set of atomic habits. You can't increase the number of hours in a day even if you try. But you can improve your output in those 24 hours. Try these tips to see how they affect your performance. Stick with them if they bring positive changes. 

For more such insightful articles that help you excel at your work, visit the Piramal Finance website.